Which is better? Ceramic or Stainless Steel headers

[Xcelon]

I'm looking for headers for my 90' Integra ls. I've been looking at DC Sports 4-2-1 headers. I was wondering if anyone could relay any information on what would be better to buy, the Stainless Steel or Ceramic headers?

[SleeperTeg]

I have the same question plus....what are the adv/disadv of 4-2-1 vs. 4-1?
Thanks

[97teg]

here are the + and - of each

stainless:
+ will last forever
looks nice at first

- dissipates heat so the engine bay will get really hot

ceramic:
+ cheaper by about $100 than stainless
insulates heat better, engine bay wont be as hot

- will eventually crack after a number of years

the stainless steel will look all nice and shiny when you first buy it, but after you install it and run the engine for about 10 minutes, it will change color to a copper shade and stay that way from the heat.
i would go with the ceramic, it wont last forever, but it will keep the engine bay cooler than stainlessand you save $100.

4-2-1 headers are for mid range power and 4-1 are for high end power.

[00GSR]

For your LS I would say get the 4-2-1 since you really don't have all that much high end (4-1 is for over 5k power, you redline at 6500). As for Stainless or ceramic, if you have the money, go stainless. If not, save the money and go ceramic. The performance is the same, but stainless looks better (I love the color it gets after use!) and lasts forever. Sure it runs a bit warmer, but if you aren’t sucking the air in from the engine bay (CAI) there really is no need to worry about it. Also, if you have any vents on your hood or fenders, that will help cool it down.




***EDIT***
4-1 is for over 4k power...sorry for the typo

[SleeperTeg]

Excellent, thanks for the info. I have decided to go Sc rather than Tc so this helps me a bunch.

Jason

[Xcelon]

Yeah, thanks a lot. I'll go with 4-2-1 ss.

[skooby]

If you're gonna go with stainless steel, keep in mind that steel and salt dont mix. So, if you live in an area where it snows a lot and the county goes and over do it with the salt trucks(like where I live), think twice on stainless unless you plan to wash your car every other day

~peace

[00GSR]

Originally posted by skooby
If you're gonna go with stainless steel, keep in mind that steel and salt dont mix. So, if you live in an area where it snows a lot and the county goes and over do it with the salt trucks(like where I live), think twice on stainless unless you plan to wash your car every other day

~peace

Actually, I have always heard that if it snows a lot in your area Stainless is the only way to go because the ceramic will rust up and eventually crack? I have no experience with this because I am in AZ, so my car has never seen snow...Even when it was in VA it was summer

[toolowintegra]

ceramic will rust? i didn't think that ceramic would rust? am i wrong?

[00GSR]

Originally posted by toolowintegra
ceramic will rust? i didn't think that ceramic would rust? am i wrong?

Yep, it sure will. I am not going to break down the elements involved in each, but think of it this way: Why would you pay more money for something that would rust, rather than pay less money for something that will not? Stainless steel cost more for a reason...that thing will last forever!


*No, cost of a product does not ALWAYS mean it is better (ie. $900 Mugen Header ) but you all get the point*

[toolowintegra]

^ i understand what your saying, i know that stainless is a better header but my question is.....which one will withstand rusting better..... i live in canada.....and it snows a lot here, thus the roads are covered in salt lik 6 months of the year, i'm about to buy a ceramic header but if it's gonna rust to shit in a couple months then it's not worth it

[00GSR]

Originally posted by toolowintegra
^ i understand what your saying, i know that stainless is a better header but my question is.....which one will withstand rusting better..... i live in canada.....and it snows a lot here, thus the roads are covered in salt lik 6 months of the year, i'm about to buy a ceramic header but if it's gonna rust to shit in a couple months then it's not worth it

Read these....too lazy to type today

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ht=header+rust

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ht=header+rust

[toolowintegra]

ok, thanx man, i read those threads.... so what about this as an option, since the DC ceramic header that i'm going to be buying is only a couple months old and it has no rust, could i get it rust proofed?